(CNS): The General Council of the Progressive National Party has issued a resolution formalizing its position on independence for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The PNP was ousted from government when the UK imposed direct rule in the wake of accusations of corruption and major public finance problems but has now declared officially that if it wins power in the next elections it will seek a national referendum for independence from Britain. Although an election date for the territory remains elusive, the UK authorities have said it will be sometime in 2012.

In the first official move by a political party to call for independence in many years in TCI, the PNP resolution says it will launch a programme to educate the public on the responsibilities of citizenship in an independent country.

The resolution talks of how the islands have been “passed from hand to hand” through history and how in the recent controversy the UK has “trampled upon” its democracy by suspending the elected government and has refused to allow an election.

The PNP also states that the UK has deprived the people of a right to trial by jury, established a multitude of new offices which have been filled by “swarms of their own people”, harassing locals and denying them a chance to earn a living, cut the salaries, emoluments and pensions of civil servants, imposed taxation, curtailed the inward investments and imposed a new constitution.

"The relationship between these Turks and Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom is not in the best interest of the people of these Islands,” the PNP states, adding that the time has come for the people of the TCI to chart their own future.

“The independence of these Turks and Caicos Islands from the United Kingdom is an objective of our Progressive National Party and we do require same to be a prominent plank in our Party's platform,” the resolution states.

Comments (23)

Lol… interesting. There is a denial that UK is just as (or more) corrupt than TCI. The people are just going through a transition from one boiling hot pot to the next. Only a fool or biased person will not see beyond the titles. The UK is looking our for herself. TCI politicians are also looking our for themselves. To the TCI people, what an awful corner they have themselves in

Unfortunately, the new CI Constitution 2009 took us one major step closer to independence, despite It having some good provisions.

Q:How can anyone top the boy from ole bush?

A: Become the first PRIME MINISTER of the Cayman Islands

The benefits we have accrued as a result of our long relationship with the UK are tremendous and far outweigh any downside. It is a critical check and balance and is undeniably part of our history, culture and traditions.

We must be wary that many are grudgeful of this relationship and may be behind a push for drastic change. When we seek counsel, we need to try and find people, companies and countries that we want to emulate and that have a proven track record.

For examaple, a failed company should only instruct you on what NOT to do, it is foolhardy to let it advise you on what to do. Trust me there is a big difference between the two.

When unruly children are not allowed to have their own way they always throw a hissy fit.

Less than 2 years ago McKeeva sent Steve McField to tell the UN Decolonization Committee that Cayman did not want independence. Shotly after that he refused the same Committee permission to hold their meeting in Cayman.

A few months ago McKeeva went to BVI and said that things had to change with the UK. Now he wants the people of Cayman to start thinking about independence.

It sounds to me like some little kids in Turks & Caicos, and over here, are not happy that they can no longer carry on the way they would like to……

What we really need is independence from McKeeva's influence in West Bay.

Yes we better thank God that the FCO Megg Munn and Leigh Turner turn up and gave them the ok to continue running down of TCI and 2 years later Bam! the same FCO showed up to fix and halt corruption in TCI is hypocrisy at its highest. The fact is that TCI has been hemoraging for over 10 years due to corruption and it would appear action was only taken when the same alledged corrupt political minions incharge started talking about or merely mentioned independence from the UK. This talk and thoughts alone seems to have prompted this unilateral action against TCI.

This is a very unfortunate situation, because the only ones who are going to suffer from this whole debucle, will be the Turks and Caicos people! Both the themes "corruption" and "independence," I am afraid, are red herrings, used by the UK's Foreign Office and their local politicians to decieve the people. Red herrings to deliberately attempt to divert attention away from the real underlying issues they crave so much for: money and power over the people.

This is beginning to sound alot like how UDP are playing their cards. Cayman, be aware as I can guarantee that our UDP Government are "misbehaving" and want the UK to come in and take over and then with Cayman angry with what the UK has done, Mac will push for Independence! Sounds familiar? Well try remember who Michael Missick's BIG friend is in Cayman!

Cayman better hope that something like the UK taking over doesn't happen here. There are corrupt people here and everyone knows it. Think the economic downturn has hurt hus? Wait until the UK starts to dig under the covers. All of the corruption that has happened here is a tax on this little island and we need to wake up. Unfortunately the politicians have played ping pong with this country and we are the ones who are stuck in the middle. Even a lot of the local vs. expat thing would probably have been avoided if there weren't so many fingers in the pie.

So the people who stole the money from TCI want to be free? Will the people actually vote for them? Let me steal your money but then don't worry about it because we will become a free country and then I can steal all I want. TCI should not be looking for freedom, but how to fight the rampant corruption that has almost ruined their country. Smells quite similar doesn't it?

Doesn't surprise me at all. Always, this is how the UK messes up their relationships with other countries. They could had Canada, United States, India, Egypt, so many countries if it wasn't for their abuse of power, ill-will, and greed.

The best move for TCI now, is Annexation with another Mother country. Because they will always need a watchdog against political corruption and military defense. It would be unwise to pursue Independence and Democracy without a replacement in mind. I say the same for Cayman.